Sad News - Gunslinger

Sad News - Gunslinger - Tue Sep 16 200311:19 AM

I've just read Crisw's post in the Staff lounge - Gunslinger (Larry) has passed away, I was totally shocked at the news and hope he didn't suffer in his last hours. Larry was really helpful to me when I had an FT identity crisis and we worked together to try to find the solution (which affected a lot of other members) My heartfelt condolences go to his family.
I hope your new wings are as good as the old ones mate

Edited by Linda and John - We've had a request from one of our members to add the following poem to the top of this thread, and we think it's a good idea. This was posted by Gun on Veterans' Day, and it seems to have meant a lot to him. It feels appropriate to have it as a tribute to this dear, sweet man.

It Is The Soldier...

It is the soldier,
not the reporter,
Who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the soldier,
not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the soldier,
not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the soldier,
Who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Tue Sep 16 200311:30 AM

Larry had been suffering some ill-health recently which is why he hasn't been around much for the past few months, he was waiting for surgery and we were hoping for a speedy recovery but it wasn't to be.

My thoughts are with his fiancee Eileen, his daughter Kelly and the rest of his family and friends at this sad time. We will truly miss him around here.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Tue Sep 16 200312:18 PM

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Tue Sep 16 200312:32 PM

I am incredibly shocked and sad to read of Gunslinger's death. He was always a gentleman to me, and provided much encouragement, humour and support through my efforts as editor. I offer my sincere condolences to his family and friends, as well as to all members here who got to know him.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Tue Sep 16 200301:46 PM

I agree that just about all of us were touched, in some way, by this sweet man. His death comes as a shock to us, and I'd like to give everyone that wishes to the opportunity to post your memories of him. At some point, I hope that Eileen, his fiancee, can reflect on these to know just how much we all miss him and think of him.

I'm going to "sticky" this to the top of the forum for a while. Please add your own thoughts and memories to the thread.

He truly was someone that I looked up to and admired greatly. I can't believe he's really gone.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Tue Sep 16 200304:16 PM

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Tue Sep 16 200305:09 PM

For those who didn't get a chance to know him, Gunslinger was a wonderful, forgiving and patient man with a great sense of humour. He was one of the first people I met on this site, and one of the reasons I have stayed so long.

I don't have a 'story' or anything that's particularly memorable, but I know he helped just about everyone (including, escpecially me) become better editors and moderators. He was tough when he needed to be, but first and foremost he was helpful and wanted to get to the root of a problem. He also was wonderful at giving criticism constructively - he and Bruyere seem to have gone to the same school that teaches you how to tell someone they're wrong without totally offending that person!

What everyone's said is true - he was a large part of this site. Where Terry has been the visionary, owner and man doing all the coding of the site, Gunslinger was the one 'running the show'. During my time here, through Gunslinger's leadership I saw this site go from having quite low standards of quizzes (quotations? what are those?) to being *the* best trivia site on the internet.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Tue Sep 16 200305:25 PM

Gunslinger "saved the day" for me when I arrived in the forums and forgot what I'd used as a password...I found myself unable to thank everyone for the warm welcomes I was receiving, until he straightened it all out....he was quite the 'hero'! It's been almost two years since then, and I always respected his honesty and fairness. Many comforting thoughts and prayers to his family and friends...he touched many lives.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Tue Sep 16 200306:15 PM

To any personal friends or relatives of Larry who may be reading this I wanted to add my condolensces. I've been working with Larry/Gunslinger for the past 3.5 years and it has been a pleasure. He was a good man and will be missed.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Tue Sep 16 200306:34 PM

I've known Gun for the past 2 and half years. He was a real gentleman and very kind. You could go to him with anything and he'd fix it.

I remember one time I was being harassed by player, and I couldn't make the person stop...so I told Gun what was happening and he said he'd handle it. I gave him the password to my Quizzyland page and sure enough the person who was harassing me sent me a message...of course Gun handled it.

Gun was a special person, and although I never met him, I wish I could have.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Tue Sep 16 200306:57 PM

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Tue Sep 16 200307:10 PM

Gunslinger is the reason that FT is as it is today. In fact, these forums would not exist today, had he not stepped in and taken ownership of them. Neither would Quizzyland be the smoothly running operation that it is today.

More than his contributions to the site, the way in which he presented himself and provided leadership will be missed. I have met few people who could make a tough decision, stick firmly with it, and back it up in an unwavering manner. If Gunslinger wanted something done, it was done. He knew when he was right, and he stuck to his guns.

While Gunslinger may no longer be with us, a part of him will live on permanantly with this website. The changes and leadership that he provided here are permanant -- he left an impression on people and on the way we do things here that will be more long-lasting than he could have ever possibly imagined.

Thank you Gunslinger, for all of the time that you dedicated to FunTrivia. I know you thought of FunTrivia as a second home, and we thought of you as a family member. I feel deeply saddened, but at the same time honored and greatful that I had the opportunity and the pleasure to meet such a fine and remarkable man. He was a role model for us all.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Tue Sep 16 200307:54 PM

What a terrible shock! Gunslinger has always been an important part of Fun Trivia. I am sure we will all miss him, but Terry and the administrators will feel his lose the most. My prays go out to all his family and loved ones.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Tue Sep 16 200307:59 PM

I would also like to express my condolences to Gunslinger and his family. In the brief time I was an editor, he took the time to answer my questions when I had problems and can see that he did for others as well. He will be missed.Mike

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Tue Sep 16 200309:23 PM

One of the first things I noticed when I came on this site a few years ago was the message from Gunslinger in the controversial issues forum. Whenever I saw that I'd think about how nice a place this is where people can actually be serious and mature about stuff. A rare thing on the internet.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Tue Sep 16 200311:19 PM

I'm Gunslinger's daughter, for those of you who don't remember me. I wanted to let you all know that he went quietly, in the middle of the night. I appreciate all the thoughts and everything. You guys were family to him.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Tue Sep 16 200311:25 PM

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Tue Sep 16 200311:39 PM

I remember Gunslinger since the very early days of Funtrivia, when only a few of us posted on the boards. I remember his wit and humour, I remember when Terry asked if anyone could look after the site whilst he was away, Gunslinger was the first to say "I will". He was a true gent.

My condolences go to Larry's family and friends and I wish them all a long and healthy life.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Wed Sep 17 200312:15 AM

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Wed Sep 17 200312:50 AM

My Deepest Sympathy to his Family and Friends.He was a very rare and special person who shall be missed by all those who's lives he enriched by being a part of it.I am grateful that I had the chance to know him.I shall remember him with a smile as he made me laugh and was a fair and decent human being and a true gentleman.Bonnie

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Wed Sep 17 200302:34 AM

I'm still shocked over this as Gun was always a friend, a gentleman and a colleague whom I admired a great deal. I'd always seen him as a big brotherly type. He always cracked up over my tizzies and yet, didn't really tease me that badly.

Perhaps the best example of him supporting me was when I lost my job and was feeling very very low, I mean, I normally can get through things with laughter but this time it wasn't working real well despite all the friends on here supporting me.Happened to see him online and we had a chat. He told me about the ups and downs of some of the workplaces he'd been in and then I said how being a long way from home made it worse, he said, "Come on Heather, you've got your FT family." He was right of course.

Yesterday came as a particular shock as, I'd seen his name on my screen and was going to send him birthday greetings ahead of time so I wouldn't miss it before I have to travel soon. I know that our birthdays were close so, didn't want to miss his. Though you might not be inclined to astrology, the LIbran fairness always shone through with Gun, though whether it's the stars or not, who knows? Kelly, he mentioned that he wasn't into the esoteric side of things but that you were, shortly after I joined as an editor.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Wed Sep 17 200303:40 AM

Is this true ? I have never expected this . I never met Gunslinger, but while I was exploring the back pages of the various forums, I saw his messages and realised the sort of man he was. He was a kind, inselfish, but firm man.

I will miss him. I cannot express words for what he has done, but I am rounding off this post by hoping that Gunslinger is happy wherever he is. May his soul always rest in peace.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Wed Sep 17 200306:32 AM

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Wed Sep 17 200306:32 AM

A lot of you might not know this but through conversations with Gun we discovered that we were both members of the Masonic Fraternity in fact both of us were Worshipful Masters of our respective Lodges in 1980. When a brother passes on if the family requests the brothers lodge will conduct a Masonic service, the following is from that service:

Soft and safe to, my Brother, be your earthly bed. Bright and glorious be your rising from it. Fragrant be the acacia's bloom which there shall flourish. May the earliest buds of spring unfold their beauties o'er your resting place, and there may the fragrance of summer's latest rose linger longest. Through the cold blasts of autumn may lay them in dust, and, for a time, destroy the loveliness of their existence, yet the destruction is not final and in spring time, they shall surely bloom again. So, in the morning of the world's resurrection, your mortal frame, now laid low in the dust by the chilling blasts of death, shall spring again into newness of life and unfold in immortal beauties in realms beyond the skies. Until then dear brother, fare thee well.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Wed Sep 17 200307:34 AM

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Wed Sep 17 200307:42 AM

I was totally shocked and beyond words when I heard about Gun. Although I had never had the opportunity to meet him, he was an outstanding man and a person of great influence on many people, he will be missed greatly. My sympathies to his family and friends. We have lost a great man.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Wed Sep 17 200307:58 AM

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Wed Sep 17 200308:23 AM

My dad was a pilot, and a bona-fide hero. I did not know this before yesterday. I was cleaning out his closet and found all his service medals. Most of you may not know what there were, or what they were for, but they are a very impressive array.

This was my dad's favorite poem. We are printing up prayer cards to give out at the service. I wanted to post it here to share with all of you.

High Flight

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earthAnd danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirthOf sun-split clouds - and done a hundred thingsYou have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swungHigh in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring thereI've chased the shouting wind along, and flungMy eager craft through footless halls of air.Up, up the long delirious, burning blue,I've topped the windswept heights with easy graceWhere never lark, or even eagle flew -And, while with silent lifting mind I've trodThe high unsurpassed sanctity of space,Put out my hand and touched the face of God.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Wed Sep 17 200309:12 AM

Kelly, it is obvious from the outpouring of emotion that your dad was a well liked and respected man. And I think the discovery in your closet goes to prove that even more. Like Ren said in her poem (and hats off to Tryst, Gatsby, and everyone else that took the time to write such beautiful things) that death is not an ending, but a beginning much like when a catepillar turns into a butterfly. He has now speard his wings like the ones he enjoyed in that poem and is flying high!May he rest in peace and enjoy the wonderful afterlife!

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Wed Sep 17 200309:48 AM

Kelly,

The only thing that I can add is that that poem is just like your dad was...truly remarkable. Have no doubt that the poem brings us that much closer to knowing exactly the type of man he was..warm, loving, gentle and kind.

Rest in peace, Gun...I have no doubt that you will have the largest pair of wings ever to bee seen.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Wed Sep 17 200309:52 AM

I was stunned to hear of Larry's death. He sent me an e-mail Sunday and I thought that the old Gunslinger was back after his hospital stay.

I had never met him face to face and I don't know what he looked like, but I gained respect for him over the years of posting here. We shared a lot of thoughts and exchanged e-mail addresses for off-line bantering.

His "tag line" on his posts was, for awhile, a quote from the High Flight poem. I asked him if he could send me the author's name; he sent the full poem, by John Gillespie Magee, Jr., with a short history of Magee's life.

Gun lived in Somerville, New Jersey. In 1961 my daughter was born in Somerville when I was stationed at an Air Force radar station. I might have spoken to him in town and never knew that we would 'meet' again.

Gunslinger used a screen image of an F-100 fighter aircraft flying away from the camera, into a beautiful sunset. This is how I'll remember him, flying into a sunset.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Wed Sep 17 200311:06 AM

Gunslinger was very nice to me back in the day. We very rarely agreed on anything, but he had my respect. I am truly sadden by this. His family and all of his friends, online and otherwise, are in my thoughts. Sincerely, Callie (originalcallie)

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Wed Sep 17 200303:39 PM

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Wed Sep 17 200304:22 PM

On behalf on myself and several former members of this site, we would like to express our condolences and extend our sympathies during this difficult time. We hope you find comfort in the memories that you have of him and know that he will always be in your hearts.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Wed Sep 17 200308:07 PM

Kelly, I posted the following message in the Editor's Forum yesterday but since you probably don't have access to that, I am reproducing it here. As you can see by the many posts, your father was highly respected, greatly loved and will be missed by people all over the world.

"I didn't know Gunslinger very well but he was very helpful to me when I first became an editor. I am so sorry to hear this news and would like to pass on my condolences to his loved ones. He will be greatly missed."

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Wed Sep 17 200308:52 PM

Thanks, MamaGoose. I don't have access to the editor's forum. Is it possible for someone to either email me those or maybe allow me temp access to read those? I would like to see them.

I hope you all realize just how much a part of his life you all were. His memorial would not be comlpete without FunTrivia. I know of one member coming up from Philadelphia. I hope a few more might be able to make it. If anyone else is in the Philly area, maybe you guys could get together and car pool. I would love to see you all.

I was thinking of printing up all the comments and putting them out for the Memorial Service. I have all his medals, his Bachelor's degree, some really great pictures, a wonderful large picture of him with his police buddies from 1961... I have his retired police badge... all of these will be placed around the room for the service. Any remembrances from you guys would be a wonderful addition for people to see.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Wed Sep 17 200309:02 PM

My condolences and thoughts go out to his family and friends.It's sad to read of this tragic loss. Though we never crossed paths in the short time I've been here, it's apparent from what I've read that Gunslinger contributed much of his time and himself to making this a great second home for many of us.Making others happy- that's what it's all about. RIP, Larry.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Wed Sep 17 200310:25 PM

Gunslinger banned my IPS#(not sure if that is right) which was the same as some foul mouthed teen. It took me weeks to convince him I was a 42 year old woman (with the help of Mak and Cool). When he was convinced he sent me a nice apology note what a class act.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Thu Sep 18 200308:36 AM

Quizzyland submissions are suspended for the week:

FunTrivia's chief editor Larry Worth (aka "Gunslinger" on FunTrivia) passed away this past weekend. His tremendous contributions and presence on this website will be missed by all. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends. No new quizzes shall be accepted this week.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Thu Sep 18 200309:16 AM

Very sorry to hear of Gunslinger's passing. When I was a newbie here he helped me straighten out a password problem (I was registered but my password wouldn't work). It's always nice to deal with a class act like he was.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Thu Sep 18 200302:39 PM

I would also like to extend my condolences to his family and close friends. I am another member who, when I needed help, received it very kindly from Gunslinger. He was very kind to me during that incident and I appreciated it very much. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and was formerly of Bound Brook before moving to Somerville more than 40 years ago. Larry was a retired sergeant for the Bridgewater Police Department for more than 20 years where he was chief of detectives.

Larry graduated from Rutgers University with a BS degree. He was a veteran of the Air Force during the Korean War, where he received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star with a `V' for Valor, Purple Heart and four Army Air Medal awards.

He was a mason of Solomon's Lodge in Somerville, a member of the A.O.H. of Somerset County, Aircraft Owners and Polots Association, American Order of Pilots, retired secretary of the state and Local PBA 174. Larry was an avid reader and especially enjoyed working with computers and riding his motor cycle and will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Sat Sep 20 200309:25 AM

Such very sad news.

Gunslinger was one of the very first people I met at this site--and he was certainly one of the reasons I became involved with getting these Forums up and running. His contributions were invaluable and his guiding hand was always mature and sure and firm. He could always be counted on for sensible thoughtful advice and an encouraging word. As long as these Forums remain, I think that GS will always be here with us in memory.

Kelly, please accept my deepest sympathies. Your father was a warm, witty, intelligent friend. I shall miss him. He really managed to touch lives all over the globe with his contributions at FT. He was a very special guy.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Sat Sep 20 200306:05 PM

May GS rest in peace. I have not said anything outside of a private forum, but I feel it's necessary to do so. Such a private man who never let on how distinguished he really was! Excellent nature. He will be missed, but we will go on in his memory. RIP.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Sun Sep 21 200307:22 AM

Gun's memorial service was very nice. I had the opportunity to meet Eileen and Kelly, and both are very sweet people.

I learned at the service that Gun had graduated in 1977 from Rutger's University with a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice; and that he was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1964. He worked for the Pinkerton Detective agency for quite a few years, and he was the sergeant in charge of the detectives of the Bridgewater Police Department.

Looking at the pictures of Gun, I saw that he was a very, very handsome man.

It's hard to believe that a man of this caliber has passed on...may he always rest in peace.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Wed Sep 24 200308:14 PM

I've been away for the last few weeks and didn't find out until Heather was kind enough to tell me this morning. I was shocked and very saddened to hear this news. There's really very little I can add to the beautiful sentiments expressed here; no profound poems leap to mind, nor do any particularly telling anecdotes. All I can say is that he was one of the first people at FunTrivia who I met; he was the one who gave me a slot as an editor, who believed in me, who was a mentor to me and to every other editor on the roster today. I knew a wise and fair man and I know that we will all miss him.

My thoughts and prayers go out to you, Kelly and Eileen, and to the rest of your family. Thank you so much for coming by and allowing us to extend our sympathies.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Wed Sep 24 200309:05 PM

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Sat Sep 27 200309:29 PM

This Was Really Sad News To Me. Heartfelt Sympathies To Gunslinger's Family and world of friends. My past experience within Funtrivia and the honor to know him and learn from him if only in "CyberSpace" has never been forgotten. A Good man indeed.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Sun Oct 05 200307:33 AM

Gunslinger's passing is a sad occasion. My condolences go out to his family. He was able to help me when I first started FunTrivia in Quizzyland about 3 1/2 years ago. He will live on at FunTrivia because of all the contributions he made to the site.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Tue Oct 14 200303:17 AM

His words at the top of the page in the controversial issues threads often moderated[and still do] my posts and perhaps my debating in the "real world".I didn`t communicate with the gentleman but shall remember and try to adhere to his wise words whenever I discuss something with anyone.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Thu Oct 16 200311:55 AM

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Sun Oct 26 200304:59 AM

Hello all,

I am Gunslingers fiancee. I would like to thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers for Larry. He thought of all of you as family. He used to say, "I've got to check and see what's going on on FT." I realize that some of you may not think that sounded like he thought of you as family but for him to check on FT as often as he did - he was checking on his "children".

This past month has been an interesting one. I got laid off from one job, the next Monday started another one which two weeks later got laid off from; then a week later started the job I work at presently. Through all of this, I know Larry was watching me because I couldn't have survived this without having an angel with me.

An angel was what Larry was and now is. I, like you, know he could be hard and unbending when something was not going the way it "should". Through it all, the one thing you could always count on was his support!

I would like to thank EVERYONE for their support and help and good thoughts and beautiful memories of the man I love.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Sun Oct 26 200305:13 AM

Hello Eileen. Larry's death has hit us all but obviously none as hard as you and his family. You can see what we thought of him, a really wonderful man. He will, as you say, be watching over you, have strength Eileen and take care.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Sun Oct 26 200305:13 AM

I would like to thank Dakota North and Junior the Jaws (I don't know their "real" names) for making such an effort to come to his service. I know he, like Kelly and I were, would have been sincerely touched by the effort.

I feel like you are all part of my family and I have a rather large family to begin with.

Linda and George thank you for your help in getting in to read all of the posts. I would like to come back and just be with his "family" every once in a while.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Sun Oct 26 200305:24 AM

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Sun Oct 26 200308:29 AM

Eileen, I'm very happy to "see" you in the forums. I feel very bad that I didn't meet Gun when I had the chance. Around this time last year, Gun asked me to meet him and I had to respectfully decline as I was having car problems (car went and I haven't gotten a new one). I only wish I would have met him then, as I'll never have the chance to now.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Sun Oct 26 200303:50 PM

Eileen, you finally were able to get in. I'm so glad! And, I'm glad that this thread was one of your first stops. I was hoping you'd have a chance to check in here and am pleased that the work George and I did worked on your account.

I do hope you join us frequently. I know everyone would love the chance to get to know Gun's fiancee. And, please share any stories with us that you might have about him.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Sun Oct 26 200306:35 PM

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Sun Oct 26 200311:25 PM

Eileen, thank you for dropping in and sharing some stories about GS .. and thank you to Silver Moonsong for supplying the pics. The PD photo is especially apt, as that is how I visualised him - he kept all of us in line including, once or twice, the webmaster himself. He had an undeniable presence. We often joked about who'd win Powerball and pay the other a visit, but it wasn't meant to be.

I've taken the liberty of copying Terry's link, at the top of the Main Page, and placing it with the list of mods at the foot of the page, and the list of editors in the Quizzyland Forum.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Fri Sep 17 200408:21 AM

zelda geek--->I will thank you now not to send me any more PMs. And I will further thank you to not casually dismiss those who have come before you, like Gunslinger. He was a very impressive person and, from what I've seen so far, you are not.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Fri Sep 17 200408:58 AM

Quote:And I will further thank you to not casually dismiss those who have come before you, like Gunslinger. He was a very impressive person.

I agree with you gatsby! Gun was truly a great person and will never be forgotten on this site. Other than Terry and the editors...he kept this site going and got the membership high. For that, Gun, we thank you!!

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Thu Sep 01 200510:58 PM

He is going to understand, SM, if you don't actually scatter them from a plane. We scattered my mum's over the clifftop where she loved to walk with her beloved dog. We talked about her while doing this and had a few laughs about things she said and did. The undertaker , on giving us the urn, warned us to stand downwind, or we would get a mouthful! My mum would have had a huge laugh at that! If you can imagine the broad Devon accent when he was warning us. A real giggle. Just scatter them on the ocean he loved....

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Thu Sep 01 200511:14 PM

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Thu Sep 01 200511:21 PM

Ah Silvermoonsong, {{big hugs}} to you.

My mother left us nearly 4 years ado, and she's still keeping me company on my dresser. I face a similar dilemma in that one day I would like to take her to the Orkney Islands and scatter her there, but I doubt I will ever be able to do that. So we are considering other options.

Perhaps a compromise might work? Is it the water that is the important part? Maybe there is an organization there that does scatterings by boat, if you are near the ocean. (Out here we have The Neptune Society which does that.) Or if you are inland, maybe there's a nice lake or river. (Although I know different areas have different laws regarding these things, you'd have to check that, I guess.)

My other suggestion would be just to find a place that your father particularly loved; for instance, did he go camping or skiing or something like that?

Sometimes I feel that I should find a place for my mom soon, but then I think, well, where would she rather be than with her family? So I don't worry about any kind of deadline. When it's the right time and place, it'll feel right, I think.
Again, my condolences to you. I know how difficult it is.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Fri Sep 02 200512:21 AM

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Fri Sep 02 200502:48 AM

Kelly, what about contacting a parachuting club? They will certainly have the door open on a 'plane, it might not be over an ocean but certainly from the air. Then, as your father was an airman in the armed services, how about a Veteran's organisation, they might know how to organise this through the airforce (perhaps scatter the ashes from a helicopter). Both these options would probably be completely free of charge.

I cannot believe that it is two years alredy, he is still missed here on a daily basis.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Fri Sep 02 200503:24 AM

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Fri Sep 02 200505:14 AM

Hi, SilverMoonsong.

I had my friend's ashes scattered at sea, off the coast of New England (where he was born) by the Coast Guard. I honestly cannot recall the cost, but I do not think it was very expensive at all. It is a service the Coast Guard apparently performs routinely, and they aren't necessarily making a special trip to do this. They have a ceremony on the ship and they sent me photos of the ceremony and a map and log indicating where the ashes were scattered. The funeral director who handled the cremation did all the arrangements for me.

You could talk with a funeral director in your area about the options for scattering ashes, including by plane. They can give you a good idea of the costs, and who might do that sort of thing. They would probably be your best source of information. In the phone book, under funerals and cremations, you might also find cremation societies which might be able to provide you with additional information. There might be organizations that arrange to scatter ashes from planes, and if they do more than one each trip, the cost might not be too high.

Another option might be to plant a memorial tree, either on your own property, if you have a house, or on the grounds of a V.A. hospital, or college, or park, and place the ashes under the roots of the tree (if that's possible). As the tree grows, part of your dad would be reaching toward the sky, and he would be a part of the life cycle.

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Fri Sep 02 200507:40 PM

Quote:Then, as your father was an airman in the armed services, how about a Veteran's organisation, they might know how to organise this through the airforce (perhaps scatter the ashes from a helicopter).

I had to chuckle out loud at the helicopter part.. my dad hated helicopters. he always said something about them "beating the air into submission..."

I will look into the local vets organizations and see what info they have. If not, I can contact the PBA back in New Jersey and see if they have any ideas. Hrm.. also the Masonic Lodge might do something.. although that one is not very likely..

And my dad also had another saying about parachuting.. "Why would someone jump out of a perfectly good airplane?"

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Mon Aug 21 200608:29 PM

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Mon Sep 18 200604:27 PM

Recently I overheard a father and daughter at the airport in their last moments together. They had announced her departure and, standing near the security gate, they hugged and he said, "I love you. I wish you enough." She in turn said, "Daddy, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too." They kissed and she left.

He walked over toward the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see he wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking, "Did you ever say goodbye to someone knowing it would be forever?"

"Yes, I have," I replied. Saying that brought back memories I had of expressing my love and appreciation for all my Dad had done for me. Recognizing that his days were limited, I took the time to tell him face to face how much he meant to me. So I knew what this man was experiencing.

"Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever goodbye?" I asked.

I am old and she lives much too far away. I have challenges ahead, and the reality is, the next trip back will be for my funeral," he said.

"When you were saying goodbye I heard you say, "I wish you enough." May I ask what that means?"

He began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone." He paused for a moment and looking up as if trying to remember it in detail, he smiled even more. "When we said 'I wish you enough, we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them," he continued, and then turning toward me he shared the following as if he were reciting it from memory:

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.

I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I wish enough "Hello's to get you through the final "Goodbye."

He then began to sob and walked away.

I wish you enough.

*******************************************************

To all of you that have been with me along this rocky path, I wish you enough

Re: Sad News - Gunslinger - Mon Sep 18 200604:50 PM

A man remembered with great affection and respect, it seems like only yesterday that we had the benefit of his wisdom and great sense of humour. Firm but fair. When making decisions here I often think "Gunslinger would have said...", and he was virtually always right. We miss you Larry.